Citation

Flaherty G. APWA Reporter 1991; 58(5): 14-15.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, American Public Works Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Article describes Portland, Maine's plan for dealing with snowstorms. There are four areas of emergency management: (1) mitigation, (2) preparedness, (3) response, and (4) recovery. Discusses various means of controlling snow and ice coverage such as liquid calcium and Verglimit, a substance that prevents bonding of ice to a road surface. Portland also updates its winter storm operations plan and public announcements and brochure; and puts equipment operators and winter staff through a "dry run" before storms occur. Response activities include equipment checking, preparing dispatch staff, pre-salting and sanding of critical intersections, and flash operation of critical signals. Recovery, after the snow has ended, continues until all systems return to normal or are improved. A storm/incident critique is then conducted from data gathered during the severe weather response.